Game 1 of the World Series between the Yankees and Dodgers ended in chaos. The Yankees took a slim lead in the top of the 10th and brought in Jake Cousins, who’s tough on righties with his nasty slider. He handled Will Smith and Juan Soto ok, but struggled when lefty Gavin Lux came up. Cousins couldn’t find the zone and walked Lux, then gave up a ground ball to Tommy Edman that should’ve been an out, but Gleyber Torres overran it. That mistake kept the inning alive and brought up Shohei Ohtani.
Because first base was no longer open, the Yankees turned to Nestor Cortes, who hadn’t pitched in weeks. Cortes threw one pitch to Ohtani, who launched it deep to center. Verdugo made a wild catch, flipping over the wall in the process. Because he left the field of play, Lux advanced to third. That small detail forced the Yankees to intentionally walk Mookie Betts, putting runners on the corners with one out.
Freddie Freeman came up next and ended it fast. Cortes went with an inside fastball and Freeman crushed it. Grand slam, walk-off, Dodgers win. The stadium exploded. Fans lost it and players sprinted out of the dugout. Hugs, screams, everything you’d expect. Freeman took a slow trot and soaked it in. Big swing, big win, Dodgers take Game 1 on a monster moment. Yankees are left wondering what could have been if Torres made the play or if Verdugo stayed in bounds. Small mistakes, huge consequences.